Dec. 19, 2008 - If My Happiness Depends on the Conduct of Others, I Will Never Be Happy
I guess my title really says it all, but my husband and I have been reflecting on this statement for quite a while now.
Needless to say, we are not there.
People will continue to behave in irritating, irrational, hurtful or just plain thoughtless ways.
When I become irritated, irrational, hurt or just plain astonished by this behavior what I am beginning to see is that the places in my heart that I thought had been transformed by the Holy Spirit are really just *****ed and patched with self-righteousness.
So when those *****ed and patched places have stress placed on them holes begin to appear and I am left bleeding and astounded and surprised...
"Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."
"Whatever is lovely...think on these things."
"...sharing in His sufferings..."
How quickly I forget!
I am not a china doll to be wrapped in cotton batting and handled carefully.
I am an empty, cracked vessel to be used and spent by the Lord.
Please transform me, Lord, so that this bad patch job will truly be replaced with You.
Then it may hurt, (You were hurt), but joy will abound!
